Defense specialization and the fifth layer.

After the fox vanished completely into light, a path to the fifth layer appeared.

"Thank you, Frederica. If anything happens to you, I’ll help. See you later."

"...Eh, ah, yeah."

Frederica, still not fully returned from her state of enlightenment, gave a faint reply. Maple vanished into the fifth layer upon hearing it.

"Maple, where are you? No, wait—there it is."

As Frederica stood alone, lost in thought, the player beside her—previously frozen in place—spoke.

"Where? Any idea about that skill...?"

His mind gradually turning, he settled on one possibility, then paused mid-sentence.

"Ah, probably the White Ghost in the fourth layer."

"Found a way to weaken it...?"

"Who knows. Maple would..."

Frederica thought it might be possible to defeat it without any weakening at all.

A trust so firm, it needed no solid proof.

A certainty born of believing Maple to be strong.

"Five layers, here we go!"

Maple took her first step toward the fifth layer, slightly behind the faces of the 【Maple Tree】.

The ground beneath her was soft, yielding—entirely clean white.

A sea of clouds stretched in every direction. A paradise above the sky.

"Soft as my home's bed, maybe."

She moved forward, comforted by the sensation beneath her feet, heading toward the Guild Home.

"This is the town for this layer, huh."

Beyond the wall of clouds, a town of blinding white unfolded.

Impossibly clear walls and paths, untouched by imperfection.

"Wait... but this isn't clouds."

When Maple touched the wall of her home, a smooth, slick sensation came through.

Unlike the cloud beneath her feet, it felt like polished stone.

"Come to think of it, I can stand on clouds too. Maybe this layer holds all sorts of materials if I look closely."

Maple walks forward, considering that the items in this layer might not all be made of clouds, glancing at the map as she makes her way to the guild home.

Maple opens the white door and steps inside.

No one… is here. Yes, then I’ll log out for today. Ah, tired…

Maple takes out a blue panel and taps it twice, logging out.

Returning to reality, Maple stretches deeply on the bed.

The most exhausting day yet. But I reached the fifth layer… I’ll rest for a while.

That night, she sleeps deeper than usual.

Several days later.

Maple speaks with Sally in the guild home.

Ah… you went there, huh.

Yeah. The most exhausting day yet…

I see. I felt something was off, didn’t quite match.

That’s true… I suppose it was like that.

Then Maple began to speak about how she had reached the fifth layer after defeating the demon.

Midway through, she realized she had shown Frederica the [Hundred Ghosts’ Night Parade].

“Was too tired to think straight.”

Sally reassured her that it wasn’t a problem.

“Might as well be expected by now, I suppose.”

The remark had been made with the assumption that Frederica, already hardened to anything that might appear, would take it in stride. But in truth, she had not yet reached that point.

It was Sally, who had already stepped into that realm, who had made the judgment—though even she had only just barely crossed the threshold.

“Huh… so, changing the subject—have you already explored the fifth layer, Sally?”

Sally paused slightly, as if recalling something, then answered Maple’s question.

Not entirely explored yet, but to some extent. Most areas have a three-dimensional structure—lots of stairs, ramps, and inclines. Then there’s…

Then what?

The ground feels quite different. It’s easy to lose footing while moving.

Is that so? You should be careful then.

It’s a matter of life and death for me.

For Sally, unstable footing posed a greater challenge than intense attacks or fighting multiple opponents.

Without precise adjustments, every dodge would falter.

Will you explore the next section, Maple?

I’m fine. I’ve already fought as if for a week. Let’s save exploring for another time.

I see… Enjoy it at your own pace. That’s better for lasting. And I’d like to play with you longer.

That unwavering, unchanging resolve—always steady—was one of Sally’s driving forces.

Yeah, I’m having fun playing.

Then it would be good. Well then, I’m off to explore. I’ll look for somewhere scenic that Maple might like.

Sally rises from the chair and smiles at Maple.

Oh! Wonderful!

I’ll explore for you too, so you can look forward to it?

Of course!

Then I’m leaving.

Have a safe trip.

After exchanging greetings, Sally steps out of the guild home and shuts the entrance door firmly.

So that’s it. I’ve won…

Leaning against the closed door, she looks up at the sky.

The sky is clear and blue, reflected in Sally’s eyes.

She closes her eyes, breathes in once, deeply and quietly, then steps away from the door and begins to walk.

I don’t like losing, no I don’t.

To close the distance, Sally starts to run.

Always inviting, always unwilling to lose… I’m sorry.

She speaks to no one, whispering alone.